Curbs lifted on A.Q. Khan’s movements: Lawyer
By IANS,
Islamabad : A court has ordered the government to remove any restrictions on Pakistan's disgraced nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan who was accused of running an illegal proliferation network, a lawyer said Friday.
Khan's lawyer, Ali Zafar, said the Lahore High Court ruled Friday that "nobody can restrict the movement of Abdul Qadeer Khan".
"It is excellent and heart warming and very gratifying," Dawn quoted Khan as saying.
"I think the people who have been involved in playing mischief with me will get the message and allow me to live a peaceful, private life as a citizen."
Three killed in Indonesia police raid
By DPA,
Jakarta : Indonesian police killed four suspected Islamic militants Thursday in a siege on a house in Central Java province, media reports said.
Police began surrounding the house before midnight Wednesday on the outskirts of Solo city after arresting a man at a nearby market, the state-run Antara news agency said.
Police fired shots and killed four people in the house, including a woman, TVOne reported.
Third UN team arrives to probe Benazir killing
By IANS,
Islamabad : A third UN team has arrived here to probe the December 2007 assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
The six-member team is scheduled to meet former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and other political leaders, as also officials of the interior ministry and the law enforcement agencies.
Pakistan had earlier this year sought a UN probe into Bhuttto's killing after its own investigations and one by Scotland Yard failed to make headway.
Afghan poll review panel completes probe in fraud charges
By DPA,
Kabul: A UN-backed Election Complaints Commission announced Monday its verdict on contested ballots from the Aug 20 Afghan presidential election, but it was not known if the rulings would push the country to a runoff vote.
"The ECC has finalised all of its decisions with respect to polling and counting for the presidential elections and has officially communicated them to the IEC," the election panel said in a statement.
Blast in Peshawar
By IANS,
Peshawar : Five people were injured in a blast in Pakistan's Peshawar city Friday.
Geo TV reported that the explosion took place in a restaurant in Phase 2 of Hyatabad area of Peshawar, capital of the North West Frontier Province.
Afghan provincial governor escapes assassination attempt
By DPA,
Kabul : The governor of the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar escaped unhurt Monday when an attacker opened fire on his convoy, a government spokesman said.
Gul Agha Sherzai was en route to the provincial capital Jalalabad when an assailant equipped with a rifle and hand grenades attacked his convoy, the governor's spokesman Ahmad Zia Abdulzai said.
"The governor and his team were not harmed in the firing," he said, adding that security forces captured the attacker.
Pakistani PM assures free media, package for Balochistan province
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Thursday categorically opposed any curbs on media and assured the National Assembly that media would not be gagged through any draconian law.
“I direct the Information Minister not to accept any amendments that curb media and to ensure that media performs freely,” he said in a statement on floor of the House.
“I feel it imperative to take the House into confidence on the government policy that no such amendments be introduce that bar the media from freely functioning,” he added.
Suicide bombing kills 16 in Peshawar
By IANS,
Peshawar : Yet another terror attack took place here Thursday when a suicide bomber struck at a court complex, killing at least 16 people and injuring 25. This was the ninth terror strike in the capital of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province since early October.
District Coordination Officer Sahibzada Anis said that a suicide bomber wanted to enter the complex of courts on the city's busy Khyber Road, but the police stopped him.
The bomber resisted and later detonated his bomb, he said.
Pakistani court seeks report on US agency Black Water
By IANS,
Lahore : The Lahore High Court has sought a detailed reply from the government on an application alleging that US security agency Black Water was indulging in illegal activities in Pakistan and had a hand in the recent bomb blasts in Peshawar.
Holding there was possibility that Black Water was behind the Peshawar terror acts, the petition, filed by advocate Zafarullah, has asked that it be banned, Online news agency reported Friday.
Suicide bombing at volleyball match kills 95 in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least 95 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP), with many children feared to be among the victims.
More than 100 people were injured in Friday's attack, which took place at a volleyball match in Shah Hassan Khan village, some 30 km south of Lakki Marwat town.
Mohammad Ayub Khan, the district police chief, said the bomber detonated his explosives-laden car near the sporting field where hundreds of people had gathered to watch the match.
Israel remains ‘close friend,’ says UK
By IRNA,
London : The British government is seeking to reassure the Israeli regime that it remains a key ally despite threats that its leaders face prospect of being arrested for alleged war crimes if they visit the UK.
“Israel continues to be a strategic partner and a close friend of the UK. We shall continue to foster a close relationship with Israel and are determined to protect and develop these ties,” Foreign Office Minister Ivan Lewis told MPs.
Rana, Headley also planned to blow up Danish daily
By IANS,
Chicago : Two Pakistani origin men, Tahawwur Rana and his associate David Coleman Headley, indicted for the Mumbai terror attacks, also planned to use truck bomb filled with explosives to blow up a Danish newspaer.
A fresh indictment against Rana and Headley unsealed in a Chicago court Thursday also charges retired Pakistani military officer Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed and Ilyas Kashmiri, a leader of terrorist organisation Harakat-ul Jihad Islami (HUJI) in Pakistan described as having been in regular contact with Al Qaeda's No. 3, Sheikh Mustafa Abu al-Yazid.
Suicide bombing kills 10 in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least 10 tribal policemen were killed in a suicide bombing that targeted a security convoy in Pakistan's northwestern region near the Afghan border, officials said Wednesday.
Fifteen policemen were injured in the bombing that took place in the Khyber Agency tribal district.
The suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into a vehicle carrying the policemen along a main highway leading to Afghanistan, said Manzoor Ahmad, an official of the local administration.
Should India talk to Pakistan? Why not, say experts
By Sarwar Kashani, IANS,
New Delhi: It is necessary for India to talk to Pakistan and raise its concerns with the civilian government there because that very move can help isolate the forces that spread hatred and terror, former diplomats and experts here opine.
Dismissing the notion that diplomatic engagement with the neighbour can take place only after Islamabad takes concrete action against anti-India terrorism, the experts who spoke to IANS appeared united in the belief that dialogue was the only way to solve all problems, including terror.
Zardari wants partners help Pakistan
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Asif Ali Zardari has said Pakistan looks forward to its partners in this war to assist the country in overcoming over difficulties so that the goal of democratically elected government to meet the expectations of the people of Pakistan could be achieved.
"Pakistan needs trade and market access for its product in order to set its economy on the path of stability and prosperity," the President said during meeting with the US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Richard Halbrooke, the Presidential spokesamn said.
One killed, several trapped in Bangladesh coal mine accident
By IANS,
Dhaka : A miner was killed and several others remained trapped Tuesday in a coal mine accident in northern Bangladesh, a media report said.
The accident took place about 400 metres underground in Barapukuria coal mine at Dinajpur in northern Bangladesh.
The dead was identified as Ranjit, The Daily Star reported on its website.
Sources at Barapukuria Coal Mine Company Ltd said 13 workers were trapped when a roof collapsed around 8.30 a.m.
Eight workers were rescued and rushed to the company's hospital. The body of Ranjit was also recovered.
Nobel laureate accusing Israel of ‘slow genocide’
By IRNA,
London : Nobel peace laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire has accused Israel of committing “slow genocide” against the Palestinian people after being forcefully prevented from delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.
“Gaza has been cut off from the world for over three years. The people of Gaza don't have enough basic things for their needs,” 66-year old Maguire said after being deported by Israel with four other Irish activists aboard the MV Rachel Corrie.
Bangladesh’s political rivals woo China
By IANS,
Dhaka : Setting aside their political rivalry, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and opposition leader Khaleda Zia have urged the visiting Chinese vice president to forge stronger economic ties and military cooperation with Dhaka.
Meeting Xi Jinping separately Tuesday, they covered similar issues, seeking a bridging of trade gap that is several times in favour of China and Beijing's entry in strategic areas like space and port building.
UAE’s non-oil trade up 7 percent
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: The UAE's non-oil foreign trade grew by 7 percent to Dh 56.04 billion (around $15 bn) in April this year as compared to Dh 52.34 billion in 2009.
"Non-oil exports saw a 42 percent rise to Dh 6.45 billion in April 2010 from Dh 4.55 billion in same month last year. Re-exports surged 12 percent to Dh 12.31 billion from Dh 10.95 billion while imports rose slightly by 1 percent to Dh 37.3 billion from Dh 36.84 billion," the Federal Customs Authority (FCA) has said.
UAE seeks investment in non-oil sector
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has decided to promote investment in non-oil sectors to boost the country's economic diversification process.
The decision to place the emphasis on goods, resources and services was set to bring about a further increase in the non-oil-related contribution to the GDP of the country, said Minister for Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna bin Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi.
"The UAE always works to bolster revenue sources via diversification and is attracting most of the foreign investment flows to the region," she said.
Giant unmanned airships to patrol Afghanistan skies
By IANS,
London : Giant unmanned airships that can fly for up to three weeks at a time could soon be providing cover for British soldiers in Afghanistan, a media report said Monday.
The LEMV (long endurance multi intelligence vehicle) is being developed by a team of British and American engineers and will give troops on the ground valuable surveillance information, Daily Mail reported on its website.
The helium-filled drone will, when it takes to the skies sometime next summer, become the world's longest endurance UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle).
US unable to account for $8.7 bn in Iraqi funds
By IANS,
Washington : US Defence Department is unable to account for $8.7 billion of the $9.1-billion fund earmarked for reconstruction of Iraq between 2004 and 2007, an audit report has said.
According to Los Angeles Times, the reconstruction money was from oil revenue the Pentagon was entrusted with and the report underscores a pattern of poor record-keeping during the period.
Pakistan flood causes crop loss worth $2.35 bn
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has said the devastating floods in the country have affected 2.6 million acres of cultivated land, with the loss of crops worth $2.35 billion.
Zardari, while addressing a meeting of the country's banking sector Thursday, said Pakistan is facing a huge loss of human lives and infrastructure due to the floods and around 75 districts have been badly affected, Xinhua reported.
Malaysian PM vows to fight racism and extremism
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has vowed to fight "racism and extremism" and appealed for public cooperation by being "calm and rational".
Pakistan welcomes additional assistance for flood victims
By DPA,
Islamabad: Pakistan Monday welcomed the additional 185 million dollars of flood aid announced on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Israeli illegal settlements ‘highly provocative,’ says UK minister
By IRNA,
London : Foreign Office Minister Lord Howell has accused the Israeli regime of being “highly provocative” by continuing to build illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian territories.
Loans worth Rs.62 bn written off, Pakistan court told
By IANS,
Islamabad : Loans worth over Rs.62 billion granted to top business firms had been written off over a 12-year period, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) told the Supreme Court.
Lebanese president’s upcoming visit to Syria carries tough mission
By Suzan Haidamous, Xinhua,
Beirut : Lebanese President Michel Suleiman is faced with a tough mission during his upcoming two-day official visit to Syria, local analysts said.
Among other thorny issues, the establishment of diplomatic ties and the opening of embassies will top the agenda of the meeting between Suleiman and his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad.
Bomb in northern Lebanese city kills 18
By SPA,
Tripoli, Lebanon : Lebanese security officials say the toll from the morning rush hour bombing of a bus carrying civilians and members of the military in the northern city of Tripoli has now risen to 18 killed and 40 wounded.
The Associated Press quoted officials as saying that the dead included 10 off-duty soldiers.
The blast occurred Wednesday morning when a roadside bomb went off on a busy main street of Tripoli as a public bus drove by.
We’re ready to face Jordan court: Danish cartoonist, editor
By DPA,
Amman : The Danish cartoonist who drew caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed three years ago which sparked worldwide protests by Muslims and a boycott of Danish products said he was ready to defend himself in an Amman court, Jordanian media reported Thursday.
"I would like to go to Amman to stand trial. However, what I fear is that I would be convicted in advance," Kurt Westergaard told the Jordan Times in an interview that was conducted in Copenhagen earlier this week.
Syria-Lebanese summit talks very fruitful, successful – FMs
By NNN-SANA,
Damascus : Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem has said that talks between President Bashar al-Assad and President Michel Suleiman of Lebanon have laid the ground for excellent relations between the two countries.
Speaking to reporters in a joint news conference with his Lebanese counterpart Fawzi Salloukh, Moallem said that "the Lebanese brothers will be informed of any developments on the Syrian-Israeli indirect talks."
He said that "demarcating Sheba'a farms cannot be made under the Israeli occupation ... this occupation should be ended."
Pakistani-origin men in possible plot against British queen
By IANS,
London : A cell of young Pakistani-origin men found guilty of terror offences may have been plotting to attack the queen and other members of the British royal family, a newspaper reported Tuesday.
Those targeted included Queen Elizabeth II, her husband Prince Philip, their sons Princes Charles, Andrews and Edward and daughter Princess Anne.
Also on the list were Princess Michael of Kent, the duke and duchess of Gloucester and the duke and duchess of Kent, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Militants can’t challenge writ of the govt: Gilani
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday stressed the need to know the root causes of terrorism and said the parliament should form a strategy to deal with the issue.
Speaking in the National Assembly during debate on law and order situation, the Prime Minister said the house is sovereign and can debate for as many days as it wants and then comes up with a strategy to deal with the issue.
Syrian official denies plans to host Russian missiles
By DPA,
Damascus : A Syrian official Friday denied media reports that the country has agreed to host Russian missiles in an effort to counter the planned deployment of a US missile shield in Eastern Europe.
"What was reported by some media with regard to Syria's agreement on deploying Iskander missiles in its territories are baseless," he told the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
The official, who was not named in the report, said no such issue was discussed at all during talks this week between Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
Afghanistan still faces long haul to counter drugs, UK warns
By IRNA,
London : The British government has welcomed the latest UN drugs report for Afghanistan showing a 19 percent reduction in poppy cultivation this year but warned there is 'no room for complacency'.
"It will take a long time for Afghanistan to be in a position to run a self-sustaining legal economy, police force, justice system and public services. We are in this for the long haul," Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown said.
Iran to develop independent missile headquarters: commander
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran is planning to establish an independent headquarters of missiles, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported Wednesday, quoting a top military commander.
The agency quoted Brigadier General Mohammad-Ali Jafari, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), as saying that forming of an independent commandership of missiles aimed at strengthening the structure of the missile section.
"We should not allow the basic spirit of success and victory to be diminished in Revolution Guards", Jafari said.
Bahrain banking sector posts strong growth in first half of 2008
Dubai, Aug 28 (IANS) Bahrain's banking sector continued to show dynamic and confident growth in the first half of 2008, according to that Gulf nation's leading economic authority.
In a statement issued in Manama, Bahrain's Economic Development Board (EDB) stated that during the period, the banking sector posted very strong financial results with a number of new banks being granted licences by the country's financial services regulator, the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB).
General petraeus submits preliminary Iraq report
By SPA,
Washington : General David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, has submitted to Defense Secretary Robert Gates his initial recommendation on when to resume a U.S. troop withdrawal and at what pace, a senior military officer said Friday.
The officer, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said Petraeus was still analyzing the situation and had not yet submitted a final set of recommendations, which he is expected to do within the next week or so. The officer did not provide any specifics of Petraeus’ initial recommendations.
NATO artillery kills three children in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : At least three children were killed and seven wounded Monday when artillery fire by NATO-led security forces accidentally hit a civilian compound in Afghanistan's eastern province of Paktika, officials said.
The incident occurred when the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) called for return fire after insurgents attacked one of its convoy in Gayan district of the province, the ISAF said in a statement.
The artillery shell “accidentally” landed close to a civilian compound, killing at least three children and wounding seven, it said.
Ahamadinejad’s presence at China Paralympics to affect Iranian champs’ results – Official
By IRNA,
Beijing : Head of National Paralympics Committee of Iran told IRNA here Monday President Mahmoud Ahamadinejad's presence at 2008 China 13th Paralympics Opening Ceremony would definitely positively affect performance of Iranian athletes.
Mahmoud Khosravi Vafa added, "The Iranian President's presence is proof for the extent of importance the Islamic Republic of Iran attaches to athletic sports.
Pakistan PM survives assassination attempt
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani Wednesday escaped an assassination attempt after unknown gunmen opened fire on his convoy just outside Islamabad, officials said.
"The prime minister has safely reached his office in Islamabad," Information Minister Sherry Rehman said.
Gilani's motorcade was returning from the airport in the neighbouring garrison town of Rawalpindi when a volley hit his armoured Mercedes limousine and some other escort vehicles, a security official said.
Six killed, 32 injured in suicide car bombing in northern Iraq
By Xinhua,
Mosul, Iraq : At least six people were killed and up to 32 others injured in a suicide car bomb attack at a popular marketplace in a town in Iraq's northern province of Nineveh on Saturday, a local police source said.
A suicide bomber drove his explosive-laden car into a market in the town of Tal Afar, 80 km west of the provincial capital of Mosul, and blew it up, killing six people and wounding 32 others, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
GCC Trade Undersecretaries hold preparatory meeting Monday
By KUNA,
Riyadh : Undersecretaries of Trade in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states meet here Monday to prepare for the 39th meeting of the GCC Trade Ministers slated in Jeddah next Thursday.
Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs in the GCC Secretariat Mohammed Al Mazroue said in a statement Sunday that the meeting will discuss the recommendations of the joint committee meeting of representatives of the Ministries of Trade and Industry tasked with discussing means of accelerating the performance and remove obstacles that obstruct the march of joint GCC action.
UAE Urges UN To Tackle Obstacles Hindering War Against Terrorism
By Bernama,
New York : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has urged the United Nations (UN) to boost joint efforts, so as to tackle strongly the obstacles hindering the total eradication of terror.
The country also called for systematic, objective, balanced and transparent review of the definition of terrorism to facilitate international consensus on the definition of the phenomenon, Emirates news agency (WAM) quoted Acting Charge d'Affairs at the UAE Mission at the UN Headquarters Anwar Othman Barout Saleem Al-Barout as saying on Sunday.
Six killed in suspected US strike in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : A suspected US missile strike on a militant compound Monday killed at least six people and wounded 15 others in Pakistan's restive North Waziristan tribal district near the Afghan border, security officials and locals said.
The attack targeted houses allegedly used by Afghan Taliban commander Jalaluddin Haqqani in Dandai Darpakhel village, located on the outskirts of the district's main town of Miranshah.
DPRK to boost relations with Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Pyongyang : The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will strengthen friendly and cooperative relations with Pakistan, the official KCNA news agency quoted a top DPRK legislator as saying Tuesday.
Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a congratulatory message to Asif Ali Zardari, who was elected Pakistani president on Saturday.
The two countries maintained a traditional relationship and have cooperated in various fields.
Three civilians among 28 killed in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Al least 28 people, including three civilians, were killed as security forces pounded militants' hideouts in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region Wednesday, the Dawn News reported.
The security forces pounded militants' hideouts with jets in Bajaur tribal agency in North-West Frontier Province, killing 28 people, including three civilians, said the report.
Backed by gunship helicopters, the Pakistan Army and paramilitary Frontier Corps Tuesday launched a joint major and first-ever ground operation against militants in the tribal agency bordering Afghanistan.
With two begums free, Dhaka in poll mode
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's military-backed interim government has mounted efforts to bring together the two battling begums - former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina who have been provisionally freed from detention - to prepare for the December parliamentary polls.
"We will bring the two leaders across the table to create an atmosphere of trust and a new mode in politics," Commerce and Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman told reporters after Zia, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson, was Thursday released on bail after more than a year's imprisonment.
Palestinians call on Arab League to stop Israeli settlement activities
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mussa has received a memo signed by 16,000 Palestinians calling on the Arab League, the UN Secretary-General, and the Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to stop the Israeli settlement activities.
Policeman killed, 14 people injured in bomb attacks in Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : An Iraqi policeman was killed and14 people were wounded in three bomb attacks in the Iraqi capital on Wednesday, an Interior Ministry source said.
The policeman was killed when a roadside bomb struck his patrol in Baghdad eastern neighborhood of Zayouna, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The blast also left three policemen and two civilians injured, the source said.
Israeli PM Olmert hands in formal resignation
By DPA,
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert handed in Sunday evening his resignation to President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem, after serving in the office for 33 months.
Earlier in the day, the premier told his cabinet he was planning on handing in his mandate, following the election last week of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni as the new leader of his ruling Kadima Party.
"This is not an easy decision and not a simple one," Olmert said to his ministers, adding that "I think I am acting in a suitable, statesmanlike and responsible manner, as I promised the Israeli public."
Bangladesh’s undernourished rise by 7.3 mn
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's undernourished population has increased by 7.3 million, largely because of the damage to country's main paddy crop in natural disasters and the consequent food price spiral, The Daily Star reported Monday.
A report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) said that the number of the country's undernourished population has increased from 39.6 million to 46.9 million.
Pakistan: govt for crackdown against hoax callers
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : The Government has directed the federal and provincial administrations and law enforcement agencies to double their efforts against the hoax callers and take strict action against them.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Central Investigation Agency (CIA) have been asked to launch a crackdown against the hoax calls and callers in collaboration with other intelligence agencies to avoid this practice.
The operation would initially be launched in all major cities, including the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Afghanistan: influx of Pakistani refugees could spark crisis – ministry official
By NNN-IRIN,
Kabul : Any increase in the flow of refugees from northwestern Pakistan into eastern parts of Afghanistan could lead to a humanitarian crisis unless international aid organisations deliver urgent assistance, a senior official at Afghanistan's Ministry of Refugees and Returnees Affairs (MoRRA) has said.
"We are deeply concerned about insecurity in the Tribal Areas [of Pakistan] and the influx of Pakistani refugees into Afghanistan," Abdul Qader Ahadi, deputy minister in the MoRRA, told IRIN in Kabul.
India, Palestine hold talks on bilateral issues
By IRNA,
New Delhi : Visiting President of Palestinian, Mahmoud Abbas Tuesday held talks Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in New Delhi. West peace process and bilateral issues are understood to have been discussed at length during the talks.
Later an agreement on the construction and equipping of a school named after the first prime minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in Abu Dees in Palestine was signed.
Afghanistan security situation may worsen: US military chief
By DPA,
Washington : The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff in Afghanistan, Admiral Mike Mullen, has said the situation in the country will worsen, according to reports Friday.
In light of the poor economic situation and an intensifying Taliban insurgency, he told US media: "I would anticipate next year would be a tougher year."
"The overall development is not going in the right direction," he said, according to the New York Times.
Exhibitors from India in Dubai gem show
By IANS,
Dubai : Exhibitors from India are among those from 20 countries participating in a global gem show taking place in Dubai.
Over 100 exhibitors from the coloured stones industry have gathered here for the International Gem Show Dubai 2008 that started Monday.
The three-day exhibition, under the patronage of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), is being organised by the International Coloured Gemstone Association (ICA) and supported by the Middle East GemBureau.
Iran slams Western powers’ attempts to negotiate with Taliban
By IANS,
New York : Iran has strongly criticised the attempts by the Western governments to negotiate with the Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan to restore peace and stability in the war-ravaged country, the official IRNA news agency reported Wednesday.
"Afghanistan is suffering from insecurity, cultivation of poppy and drug trafficking as well as the humanitarian crisis and the collusion with the terrorists will deteriorate the situation in Afghanistan," Iran's permanent ambassador to the UN, Mohammad Khazaee, told the UN Security Council session on Afghanistan in New York Tuesday.
Muzaffarabad delegation returns after ‘successful’ visit
By IANS,
Srinagar : A business delegation from Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir returned home Thursday after a "successful and encouraging" week-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the launch of cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade next week.
The 19-member delegation, headed by Zulfiqar Abbasi, had arrived here Oct 9 to discuss the modalities of cross-LoC trade with traders in summer capital Srinagar and winter capital Jammu.
They visited the fruit market in Sopore in north Kashmir, the largest such in the Valley.
Alleged coup plotters go on trial in Turkey
By DPA,
Ankara : The trial of 86 people accused of plotting to prepare the ground for a military coup got under way in Istanbul Monday.
The long-awaited trial of the so-called Ergenekon gang began some 17 months after police discovered hand grenades in an Istanbul house belonging to a former non-commissioned officer.
An investigation found that the grenades were from the same batch that was used in an attack on the Istanbul offices of Cumhuriyet newspaper in 2006.
17 militants die as Pakistan combat jets bomb Taliban positions
By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : At least 17 militants were killed on Monday when Pakistani combat jets and gunship helicopters bombed suspected Taliban positions in the troubled northwestern Swat valley and adjoining Bajaur tribal region.
Ten militants were killed when jets struck militant positions at several places in Charmang and Loisam sub-districts of Bajaur Agency, considered strongholds of the local Taliban.
A number of militant hideouts were destroyed in the bombing, TV channels reported.
India, Pakistan to discuss Kabul bombings Friday
By IANS,
New Delhi : India and Pakistan will hold a special meeting of the joint anti-terror mechanism here Friday that will focus on the alleged complicity of the spy agency ISI in the bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul over three months ago.
Vivek Katju, special secretary in charge of political and international organizations in the external affairs ministry, will hold talks with the Pakistani delegation led by Aizaz Ahmad Choudhry, additional secretary in charge of South Asia, the foreign office announced here Wednesday.
Roadside bombing kills 3 U.S. soldiers in W Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : A roadside bombing on Wednesday killed three soldiers with the U.S.-led Coalition forces and wounded another in western Afghanistan, said a Coalition statement received here on Thursday.
"The incident took place at about 8 p.m. local time (1530 GMT) when a Coalition vehicle struck an IED (improvised explosive device) killing three Coalition service members and wounding one in western Afghanistan," the statement said.
It added that Coalition personnel secured the scene, and the incident was under investigation.
Over 40 killed or missing in floods in Yemen
By NNN-KUNA,
Sanaa : Forty-one people were killed or missing in Yemeni governorate of Hadhramout as a result of floods caused by heavy rain fall which also damaged houses and infrastructure facilities in different parts of the country.
"Forty-one are the initial estimates of dead or missing people in Hadhramout, while there are five deaths in Al-Muhra governorate, and two killed by thunder in Muqbana area in Ta'ez governorate," state-run news agency (Saba) said.
Pakistan summons US envoy over airstrikes
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistan summoned US Ambassador Anne Patterson Wednesday to lodge a protest over recent missile strikes by US drones in the country's tribal region along the border with Afghanistan.
"It was underscored to the ambassador that the government of Pakistan strongly condemns the missile attacks which resulted in the loss of precious lives and property," a statement from the country's foreign ministry said.
"It was emphasised that such attacks were a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and should be stopped immediately," it added.
Palestinian militants continue rocket attacks on Israel
By RIA Novosti,
Tel Aviv/Gaza : Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip have fired at least three rockets at southern Israel on the third day of renewed hostilities that threaten a fragile five-month truce, the Israeli military said Friday.
The rockets exploded in deserted areas, without inflicting casualties or damage. Islamic Jihad, Gaza's second-largest militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack.
1.5 million sheep to be imported for Hajj
By SPA,
Riyadh/Jeddah : A Ministry of Commerce report expects one and a-half million sheep to be imported before the beginning of the Hajj season, with 500,000 alone for the Sacrificial Meat Project.
US to pressure Iran over missile tests
By NNN-KUNA,
Washington : The United States has said that it will discuss with its allies ways to put further pressure on Iran to stop carrying missile tests in the region.
"These ballistic missile tests by Iran are certainly in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and certainly are not in accordance with its international obligations," said State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Wood Wednesday.
The Iranian Defence Ministry announced Wednesday that it has successfully tested a new generation of more effective long-range surface-to-surface missile using solid fuel.
‘Sticky bombs’ add new dimension to Iraqi dangers
By DPA,
Baghdad : A kind of adhesive bomb has added a new dimension of terror to everyday life in Iraq. Known by a variety of names - sticky bomb, magnetic bomb or glued bomb - the explosive is generally planted on a car's undercarriage and then detonated by a remote control.
As its use surges, it's more and more common to see Iraqis checking the undersides of their vehicles lest they become the latest victim of this threat.
Hardly a day passes in Iraq without an explosion of a sticky device targeting an official, bus or private vehicle.
Uncertainty over Bangladesh poll dates persists
By IANS,
Dhaka : Pressure tactics by the former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led alliance have made holding of the delayed ninth general election in Bangladesh on schedule uncertain.
While Zia and her Islamist allies want a two-month deferment of the polls, the military-backed caretaker government Sunday indicated that it could relax the time-table of the Dec 18 poll by a few days, but not longer than that. It also wants a firm commitment from the BNP that they would participate without further preconditions.
Banned outfit planning fresh bombings in poll-bound Bangladesh: report
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's banned Islamist militant outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) has begun stockpiling explosives and is planning a fresh round of attacks across the country in the run up to the Dec 18 general elections, officials said.
The military-backed caretaker government has failed to follow up its drive against Islamist militancy, media reports Tuesday said quoting security officials.
Karzai in touch with senior Taliban leaders: Afghan official
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Afghan President Hamid Karzai is in touch with the senior leadership of former ruling Taliban that went underground after the US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops landed in the war torn country after 9/11, says a senior Afghan official.
"Yes, Hamid Karzai is in touch with them (Taliban) for some time and wants to establish long term peace in Afghanistan," the senior Afghan official visiting Pakistan told IANS, while requesting anonymity.
Pakistan”s lower house condemns US attacks
By KUNA,
Islamabad : The National Assembly of Pakistan Thursday strongly condemned the US attacks in bordering tribal region while the Foreign Office lodged a formal protest.
Speaking on the point raised by several legislatures during Thursday's Assembly session, Minister for Provincial Coordination, Mian Raza Rabbani, said that Pakistan was a sovereign state, which can defend its territorial integrity.
Activists want end to Israeli blockade of Gaza
By IRNA,
London : Human rights activists are calling on Egypt to open its border with Gaza to prevent the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the strip.
Parliamentarians, community leaders, NGOs and human rights activists, from different countries, have written a letter to be delivered on Saturday by the Egyptian Embassy to President Hosni Mubarak to ask him to open Gaza crossing.
IAEA monitors safety of Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant
By Xinhua,
Tehran : The International Atomic Energy Organization (IAEA) representative to Iran Christer Viktorsson said on Sunday that IAEA monitors the safety of Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, in Iran's southern Bushehr province, the official IRNA news agency reported.
"Cooperation between IAEA and Iran on the security and safety of Bushehr nuclear power plant is in line with existing protocols and agreements," IRNA quoted Viktorsson as saying, adding that "Iran is now fully cooperating with IAEA to maintain safety of Bushehr nuclear power plant."
Saudi embassies and conculates have issued some 1,750,000 Hajj visas
By NNN-SAP,
Riyadh : Saudi embassies and consulates have concluded issuing visas to pilgrims of various nationalities for this year's Hajj.
This was stated by Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Alsalloom Tuesday.
He added that by Tuesday, more than 1,750,000 visas have been issued.
Pakistan’s refusal to handover terrorists expected: BJP
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Wednesday said Pakistan's refusal to handover 20 "most wanted" individuals to India was on expected lines and demanded that the government build international pressure on Pakistan through the United Nations to secure the suspects.
Israel to partially open two Gaza crossings for one day
By KUNA,
Gaza : Israel will partially open on Thursday two of the Gaza Strip's crossings, which were closed four weeks ago, to allow the entry of limited quantities of food, it was announced here.
Palestinian Coordinator of Goods Entry Raed Fattouh told KUNA the Palestinian side was notified late last night that Kerem Shalom and Karni Crossings would be partially opened Thursday.
A total of 40 trucks with humanitarian aid, medicine, and a substance to purify water will be allowed to enter the strip through Kerem Shalom crossing, he said.
Rice sees no military standoff between Pakistan, India
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Thursday that Pakistan and India had both given responsible statements and no military action was on the cards in both countries.
"I found the Pakistani leadership very focused and committed," she told reporters after talks with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and senior army officials.
"I do want to thank you for the leadership role that you have taken," she told Zardari.
Afghanistan signs Anti-Cluster bomb Treaty
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghanistan has inked the Anti-Cluster Bomb Treaty in Norwegian capital Oslo, according to a statement released by Afghan presidential Palace on Thursday.
"Afghan ambassador to Norway Jawed Ludin signed the Treaty on behalf of his government at a two-day conference in Oslo on Wednesday," the statement said.
So far, 92 countries have joint the international treaty to ban the product and use of the cluster munitions.
Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan to strengthen anti-terrorism co-op
By Xinhua,
Ankara : Presidents of Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan on Friday stressed their determination to strengthen tripartite cooperation to fight against terrorism, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
At the joint press conference held by Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari following the Turkey-Afghanistan-Pakistan tripartite summit in Istanbul on Friday, Gul said that the three parties confirmed that counter terrorism is the priority they have attached to.
Saudi Arabia Watchful with Hajj
By Prensa Latina,
Riyadh : Some 100,000 Saudi troops are patrolling the Islamic Holy City Mecca, to provide security to over three million Muslims at the Hajj or annual pilgrimage beginning Saturday.
Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz said pilgrims from all over the world would flood every sacred place every Muslim must visit at least one in his lifetime.
The crowd virtually paralyzes the Islamic world as prelude to four days of Eid Al-Adha, main feast of the Muslim calendar 70 after Ramadan.
60 NATO vehicles set on fire by militants in Peshawar: report
By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : Pro-Taliban militants struck at a terminal in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, used by trucks ferrying supplying to US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, setting on fire up to 60 vehicles and container trucks today.
The heavily armed militants stormed Bilal Terminal in the early hours after opening fire at watchmen. They then lobbed grenades and torched container trucks and other cars, including Humvee armoured vehicles, TV channels reported.
Israel’s expulsion of human rights envoy is dangerous: UN
By DPA,
New York : Israel's decision to expel a US expert on human rights was a "dangerous" move that contravened mandates given to rights advocates working for the UN, president of the UN General Assembly said Monday.
Richard Falk was detained at Jerusalem's airport Sunday and then deported back to the US. Falk's mandate given by the 192-nation UN assembly is to assess the situation in Palestinian-occupied territories.
The Israeli foreign ministry Monday said Falk was "unwelcome in Israel".
President, PM vow to safeguard Pakistan’s defence
By IRNA,
Islamabad : President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani here Monday expressed resolve to safeguard country's defense and security and that Pakistan will itself investigate elements posing threats in this regard.
The Prime Minister held an important meeting with the President here at Aiwan-e-Sadar where Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security Mehmood Ali Durrani was also present.
The meeting discussed Pak-India tension, violation of Pakistan's air space, war on terror and the country's political situation besides other issues.
Pakistan not to allow use of its soil for terror acts – Zardari
By IRNA,
Islamabad : US senator John Kerry met with President Asif Ali Zardari here Monday and assured Pakistan of every possible help in war against terrorism.
During the meeting John Kerry stressed on need for Indian leadership's ease of tension with Pakistan through holding dialogue and cooperation. He asked Pakistan to cooperate with India in investigating violent incidents that took place in Mumbai.
President Asif Ali Zardari touching on the occasion, said that country's soil will not be allowed to be used for carrying out terrorist activities.
Poll: Palestinians, Israelis seek more active U.S. role in moderating conflict
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Most Palestinians and half of Israelis hope the United States to play a more active role in moderating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to a latest poll published Tuesday.
The poll was conducted by the Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research in Ramallah.
Death toll rises to 18 in Baghdad twin bombing
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The death toll of a double explosions outside a traffic police headquarters in central Baghdad on Wednesday rose to 18 and 52 people injured, an Interior Ministry source said.
"The toll of the car bomb and a roadside bomb attacks in Nahdhaarea rose to 18 killed and 52 injured," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The attack took place when a booby-trapped car detonated outside the headquarters near the al-Nahdha parking lot in central Baghdad on the east side of Tigris River, the source said.
US Senator Kerry urges India, Pakistan to pursue diplomacy
By DPA,
Islamabad : US Senator John Kerry urged India and Pakistan to keep the diplomatic channels open to counter terrorism and remove misunderstandings that could threaten regional peace, media reports said Wednesday.
Kerry, the next chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the remarks Tuesday in Islamabad, where he arrived from New Delhi as part of Washington's efforts to defuse tensions stemming from last month's Mumbai terrorist attacks.
French Defence Minister says no new troops in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Paris : French Defence Minister Herve Morin Thursday denied a media report that Paris was preparing to deploy reinforcements to Afghanistan to comply with the wishes of US president-elect Barack Obama to carry out a military "surge" there.
Morin told journalists in Paris that no plan to reinforce French forces in Afghanistan was being prepared. However, he left open the possibility that President Nicolas Sarkozy may himself announce such a move.
"If the President has things to announce, he will announce them. I don't know of anything," Morin said.
More Than 300 Indonesians Died In Saudi Arabia
By Bernama,
Jakarta : Some 325 Indonesian Haj pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia up to December 21, local media reported.
Of the 325 Haj pilgrim deaths, 225 occurred in Mecca, 36 in Madinah, and four in Jeddah, Indonesia's Antara news agency said.
Around 150 Indonesian Haj pilgrims received medical treatment due to illness, the agency added.
The number is slightly lower than last year's 327 Haj pilgrims who died in the same period, Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Haj Pilgrimage Committee Barita Sitompul was quoted by the news agency as saying.
Pakistan’s steps against terror ‘not nearly enough’: Rice
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Insisting that the steps taken by Pakistan in the wake of the Mumbai attacks are 'not nearly enough', the US has advised it to keep on working to 'really deal' with terrorism to help ease the 'crisis' with India.
Neither India nor Pakistan wanted to escalate tensions and "no one was speaking in belligerent language," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said at a function in Washington.
Dhaka steps up vigilance along border with India as bombs, explosives seized
By NNN-APP,
Dhaka : Bangladesh Monday put all border outposts of paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) on high alert with neighbouring India as police retrieved a powerful bomb on a timer and two hand bombs in southwestern bordering district of Jessore on Monday.
Explosive experts were called in immediately to defuse them, police guarding the spot said.
Israel must end ‘unlawful’ attacks, says Amnesty International
London, Dec 29, IRNA ,Amnesty International Monday expressed its horror at Israel's ongoing slaughter of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, calling for an end to the massacre and for Gaza's emergency needs to be met.
"The horrific death toll risks growing due to the unavailability of adequate medical care for the hundreds of injured," the London-based human rights group said three days after Israeli air attacks killed over 300 Palestinians.
Security, peace will prevail due to ground operations on Gaza, says Barak
By NNN-KUNA,
Ramallah : Security and peace will prevail in the region with the beginning of ground operations in the Gaza Strip, said Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Saturday.
He affirmed during a press conference that the army has increased security with the borders with Lebanon, adding that the army would safeguard peace and security of Israeli citizens.
Barak indicated that the mini-cabinet meeting stressed that ground operations aim at destroying the infrastructure of Hamas.
Pakistani PM: National Security Advisor sacked in national interest
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Yousuf Raza GilaniFriday said the National Security Advisor Mahmud Ali Durrani was sacked in the country's best interest and for good governance.
He made the remarks when talking to reporters after attending a seminar on "Democracy in Pakistan."
Gilani dismissed Durrani on Wednesday after Durrani told media that a preliminary investigation by Pakistan had established that Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone attacker captured by India for the Mumbai attacks, was a Pakistani national.
No response from Pakistan to 26/11 dossier: Minister
By IANS,
New Delhi : India Saturday said it has not received any response from Pakistan on the Mumbai terrorist attack dossier it handed over six days ago and underlined that Islamabad is obliged under international conventions to hand over the suspects to New Delhi.
“I will only comment after receiving the reply,” Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma told reporters when asked whether New Delhi has received any response to the dossier linking Pakistan-based elements to the Nov 26 Mumbai carnage.
343 Indian fishermen detained in Pakistan: official
By Muhammad Najeeb,IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Friday said it had in its detention 343 Indian fishermen while 19 of its own fishermen were in Indian jails for violating maritime boundaries.
In an online media briefing, the Foreign Office spokesman said the waters of the Indus delta at the Arabian Sea are considered good for fish breeding that lures the Indian fishermen into entering Pakistan's territorial waters for a better catch.
‘Pakistan to review options if Obama not positive’
By IANS,
Washington/Islamabad : Pakistan said Wednesday it would review its options if the Barack Obama administration didn't adopt a positive policy toward the country, even as the new US president said aid to Pakistan would be linked to the war against terror.
"Pakistan hopes that Obama will be more patient while dealing with Pakistan. We will review all options, if Obama does not adopt a positive policy towards us," Pakistan's ambassador to the US Hussain Huqqani told Geo TV in Islamabad.
Merkel, Obama discuss Middle East issue
By KUNA,
Berling : German Chancellor Angela Merkel had a long phone call Monday evening with US President Barack Obama on issues including the conflict in the Middle East, an official statement said.
A spokesman of the German government said Tuesday in a press release that Merkel and Obama also discussed the world financial and economic crises and stressed on the importance of international cooperation to overcome them.
U.S. wants partnership with Muslim world based on respect – Obama
By RIA Novosti,
Washington : U.S. President Barack Obama has said during his first formal interview since his inauguration that the U.S. will seek to reach out to the Muslim world.
During Monday night's interview with the al-Arabiya news channel, Obama said that while Israel was a "strong ally of the United States," his administration was ready to "initiate a new partnership based on mutual respect and mutual interest" with the Muslim world.
Indonesian Muslims banned from practicing yoga
By IINA,
Jakarta : Muslims in Indonesia are now banned from practicing yoga that contains Hindu rituals like chanting, but will continue to be allowed to perform it for purely health reasons, the chairman of the country's top Islamic body said today. Ma'ruf Amin said the Ulema Council issued the non-binding ruling following weekend talks attended by hundreds of theological experts in Padang Panjang, a village in West Sumatra province. Although the ruling is not legally binding, most devout Muslims are likely to adhere to it — as they consider it sinful to ignore a fatwa.
Iraq’s provincial elections: A test of fragile calm
By DPA,
Baghdad : As voters prepare to go to the polls Jan 31, Iraq stands balanced on a knife-edge as the streets are safer now than they have been at any time since the country slid into civil war in 2005.
When Iraqis vote in 14 of the country's 18 provinces to choose the provincial councils that will govern them, the country could make a great step forward in drawing a line under the recent years of bloodshed. Or, many Iraqis say, if the polls are viewed as unfair, the country could tip back into carnage and chaos.
Dhaka slams Islamabad for linking Bangladesh to Mumbai attacks
By IANS,
Dhaka : Dhaka has strongly condemned a Pakistani investigation agency's claim of a Bangladesh-based terror outfit's involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks.
"Militants and terrorists do not belong to any territory, country and nation. I am shocked at such a claim," The Daily Star Saturday quoted Home Minister Sahara Khatun as saying.
"We need your cooperation and suggestion. I can promise that I would try to root out terrorism, militancy and extortion even if I have to put my life on the line if you cooperate with us," the minister said at a college sports gathering.
Zillur Rahman all set to be declared Bangladesh president
By IANS,
Dhaka : Veteran leader of the ruling Awami League Zillur Rahman is poised to be declared the next president of Bangladesh, with no other nomination paper being filed for the presidential poll scheduled Feb 16.
Awami League (AL) chief whip Abdus Shahid filed Rahman's nomination with the returning officer (RO) Sunday, The Daily Star reported Monday.
Dhaka, Delhi sign trade, transit pacts, move closer on terrorism
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh and India Monday rejuvenated their political and economic ties, renewing a trade pact that envisages transit facility to India, and moved closer on their resolve to combat terrorism.
A 12-hour hectic visit here of Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee saw confluence of views on bilateral and regional issues between the South Asian neighbours, made possible by the emergence in Bangladesh of a new political dispensation last month under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hamas: Israelis elect three heads of terrorism
By Xinhua,
GAZA : Commenting on the results of the Israeli elections held on Tuesday, the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said on Wednesday that the Israeli people have elected three heads of terrorism.
The Palestinian movement was surprised from the elections results, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum told Xinhua in a telephone interview, adding that the winners are Tzipi Livni, Benjamin Netanyahu and Avigdor Lieberman.
Obama plans to push forward on Middle East peace
By DPA,
Washington : US President Barack Obama intends to work toward Middle East peace regardless of who forms Israel's new government, the White House said Wednesday.
"President Obama looks forward to working with whoever makes up that next Israeli government in a search for lasting and durable peace in the region," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.
Obama telephoned President Shimon Peres to congratulate Israel for its successful elections and praised him for his steadfast support for a two-state solution with the Palestinians, the White House said.
US weapons given to Afghan army missing
By Xinhua,
Washington : A large quantity of weapons given to the Afghan army by the US have been missing, officials said.
The US congressional auditors said Thursday in a report that nearly 87,000 pieces of weapons, including rifles, pistols, machine guns, grenade launchers, shotguns and mortars were missing.
The weapons are among about 240,000 small arms and other items, including 2,410 highly prized night vision devices that were given to the Afghan security forces by the US military.
Five militants killed in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least five militants were killed and six others were injured in an exchange of fire with security forces Friday in northwestern Pakistan, a military statement said.
According to the statement, militants opened fire on a patrolling party of the Pakistan Army near Matta in the Swat district, forcing the security personnel to retaliate.
In the exchange of fire, three militants were killed and five others were injured, it said.
In another exchange of fire near Aligrama in Swat, two militants were killed and another was injured.
Obama assures Karzai of Afghan commitment in first phone talk
By DPA,
Kabul : US President Barack Obama assured his Afghan counterpart, Hamid Karzai, of the US commitment to the fight against terrorism in the region during their first telephone talk since Obama's inauguration, the Afghan president's office said Wednesday.
The two presidents Tuesday night talked about a review of US policy in the fight against insurgency in Afghanistan and Pakistan, preparations for the Afghan presidential election and enhancing Afghan security forces, Karzai's office said in a statement.
Pakistan rejects international concerns over Islamic laws
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan Thursday rejected international concerns over the introduction of an Islamic judicial system in parts of its North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) as "speculative".
"There are some reactions including in NATO. These are mostly speculative," Pakistani Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said at his weekly press briefing, when his attention was drawn to criticism from some Western nations.
Islamic courts will be set up in the Malakand division under an agreement between the NWFP government and the outlawed Tehrik Nifaz-e-Shariat-e- Muhammadi group.
Khaleda-led opposition returns to Bangladesh parliament
By IANS,
Dhaka : The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Monday joined the ninth parliament, ending its row of 17 working days with the speaker over seating arrangements in the house.
The party led by two-term former prime minister Khaleda Zia said it was joining the house following an assurance after prolonged negotiations from Speaker Abdul Hamid of "respectable seating arrangements in the House", Star Online reported.
Terrorist safe havens in Pakistan most worrisome: US
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : The havens carved out by the Taliban and other insurgents in Pakistan have become the "most worrisome" part of the US-led war in Afghanistan, says US Defence Secretary Robert Gates.
Washington had a similar perch in Pakistan when US and Pakistani officials supported Afghanistan's mujahideen rebels against the Soviet Union in the 1980s - "and let me tell you, it made a big difference", he said Sunday.
"I think as long as they have a safe haven to operate there, it's going to be a problem for us in Afghanistan," he told NBC's "Meet the Press".
Hamas calls on Gaza donors to recognise its legitimacy
By DPA,
Gaza : The Islamic Hamas movement Monday called on the international community to recognise its legitimacy as the ruler of Gaza Strip.
Speaking as international donors began a conference to discuss the reconstruction of the salient of Israel's recent offensive, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum urged the participants to "deal with the legitimacy (of Hamas) if they were interested in the Palestinian people's interest".
"Bypassing the Palestinian legitimacy that exists in Gaza is like walking to the wrong address ... to hinder the reconstruction," he said.
SAARC summit likely to be deferred: Report
By IANS,
Dhaka : The 16th SAARC summit is likely to be deferred to at least the first quarter of 2010 as the Maldives has expressed its inability to host the gathering this year after October, when its tourist season would be in full swing.
Economic recession is another reason that is deterring the Maldives, New Age newspaper said quoting diplomatic sources here.
Pakistan expands crackdown on opposition groups, lawyers
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Police in Pakistan expanded crackdown on opposition parties and lawyers and arrested scores of them in the country’s northwest to frustrate their attempt of a 'Long-March' on capital Islamabad, opposition groups said Friday.
Lawyers and opposition political parties planned to stage sit-in outside the parliament house in Islamabad from March 16 to press for the demand of the restoration of former Chief Justice Supreme Court and other judges sacked by former President Pervez Musharraf in 2007 when he imposed emergency rule.
Bengali new year celebrated in Bangladesh amid tight security
By NNN-Xinhua
Dhaka : The Bengali New Year is celebrated Monday across Bangladesh, especially in capital Dhaka, with a festive atmosphere.
Tens of thousands of people in masks and traditional dress, mostly students of the Dhaka University, held a colorful parade through the university, ushering in good spirits for the new year and vowing to defeat any ill-will.
At the forefront of the parade were precisionists carrying symbolic figures of the owl, tortoise, tiger and elephant.
Iraqi shot by British soldier to get 2 million pounds payout
By NNN-KUNA,
London : A young Iraqi man accidentally shot by a British soldier will receive 2 million pounds, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.
The commercial TV station "Channel 4 News" reported, late on Monday, that the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was set to receive the payout after suffering severe spinal injuries which left him paralysed.
The sum is far higher than anything paid to any British troops injured in Iraq and is likely to reopen the controversy over the compensation levels for wounded service personnel, commentators said.
Gaza clashes leave 5 militants, 3 Israeli soldiers dead
By DPA,
Gaza City/Tel Aviv : Separate early morning clashes in the Gaza Strip Wednesday left three Israeli soldiers and five Palestinian militants - four from Hamas and one from the Islamic Jihad - dead, Palestinian and Israeli spokesmen said.
The three soldiers were killed in an early morning firefight with gunmen, who were spotted approaching the heavily-guarded fence which separates the Strip from Israel, just south of the Nahal Oz crossing point, east of Jebalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip.
Israel could start major operation in Gaza in summer – paper
By RIA Novosti,
Tel Aviv : Israel could launch a major ground incursion in the Gaza Strip this summer to cripple Hamas's infrastructure, The Jerusalem Post quoted unidentified sources in Jerusalem as saying.
They said the incursion, similar to a 2002 operation in the West Bank, would not take place until mid-June, a month after U.S. President George W. Bush's visit to Israel.
After the operation, Israel would hand Gaza over to Egypt or a "third party", the sources said.
Pakistan committed to IPI gas pipeline project, U.S envoy told
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan has told the United States that it is committed to signing the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline deal with Iran to meet its emerging energy requirements, reports said Thursday.
Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Khawaja Asif informed the U.S Ambassador Anne W Patterson in a meeting that Pakistan and Iran are in the final stages of signing the IPI gas pipeline project deal, the report in a major daily said.
Pakistani Ambassador: Olympic torch relay underscores universality ogf games
By NNN-APP,
Beijing : Pakistani Ambassador Salman Bashir has said that the lighting of the Olympic flame and its relay across continents, underscores the universality of the games.
In a congratulatory message to the English language China Daily on its special supplement on Olympic Torch relay, the Ambassador underscores the universality of the games, which, he said will unite all peoples under the apt motto of “One World One Dream”.
Carter, exiled Hamas leader meet in Damascus on peace efforts
By Xinhua,
Damascus : Visiting former U.S. President Jimmy Carter met with exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in Damascus on Friday and discussed the peace efforts in the region.
The talks between Carter and Meshaal focused on three basic topics, namely the fate of Israeli captive Gilad Shalit, the situation in Gaza and the lift of the siege there, deputy chief ofthe exiled Hamas politburo Moussa Abu Marzouk told reporters.
Third of million Afghan, Iraq war veterans are depressed
By IANS,
Washington : Nearly 20 percent of US servicemen back from Iraq and Afghanistan - or a third of a million - suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, but only half of them have sought treatment, according to a study by a US non-profit organisation.
Researchers of the RAND Corporation also found that about 19 percent of these veterans reported experiencing a possible traumatic brain injury while deployed, with seven percent reporting both a probable brain injury and current major depression.
Britain extends conditional support to Pakistan’s dialogue plan with militants
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Britain supports Pakistan's reconciliation process with the militants "but the talks should beheld with those who wanted to surrender or lay arms", British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said.
Miliband arrived in Peshawar, the capital of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP) on a two-day visit for talks with the new government.
The new provincial government has formed a committee of senior officials to hold dialogue with the militants in the Swat valley and tribal regions.
Iraq neighbors’ meeting opens in Kuwait with Maliki’s call for help
By Xinhua,
Kuwait City : A ministerial conference on Iraq opened here Tuesday with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki urged the neighbors to help stabilize his war-torn country. The neighboring countries, especially the Gulf neighbors should help stabilize Iraq by living up to pledges to forgive its debt, Maliki urged at the opening session of the conference.
Civilian casualty toll mounts, Iran urges US to stop bloodshed
By IRNA,
Baghdad : The civilian casualty toll mounted Wednesday as US escalated air strikes on residential areas in Sadr City amid Iranian call on the US to stop air strikes.
"Iran is concerned over further bloodshed and civilian deaths in Iraq," Hassan Kazemi Qomi told a press conference in Baghdad earlier this week.
He said that the warring parties should sit at the negotiating table.
IRNA reporter in Baghdad said citing Iraqi Interior Ministry that two omen were among seven civilians killed in indiscriminate bombardment of Sadr City overnight.
Pro-Taliban militant leader directs halt to attacks in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : Top leader of pro-Taliban militants in Pakistan has directed his comrades "to immediately cease their activities" as the government inches toward signing a peace accord with the rebels, media reports said Thursday.
Baitullah Mehsud, the head of the country's umbrella militant group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), issued the orders Wednesday in pamphlets.
"He has warned that his directives should be complied with and those violating them will be publicly punished," read the order, which was published in several newspapers.
U.S. reports new Gulf confrontation, Iran denies
By Xinhua,
Washington : U.S. officials said Friday that a vessel contracted by the U.S. Navy in the Gulf fired warning shots on two Iranian fast boats Thursday, but Iran denied the claims .
The U.S. ship Westward Venture, contracted by the U.S. Military Sealift Command to carry military cargo to Kuwait, fired upon the boats after attempts to get the Iranian boats' attention failed, FOX News quoted Pentagon sources as saying.
A U.S. navy security team, armed with M16 rifles and machine guns, was onboard the Westward Venture at the time the warning shots were fired.
Second Arab Conference on intellectual property to kick off Saturday
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : The Arab League will play host on Saturday to the Second Arab Regional Conference on the Teaching of Intellectual Property Law in the Arab World.
The conference is being co-organized by the league's IP unit, the Arab Lawyers Union (ALU), the IP Regional Institute of Egypt's Holwan University in cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the Cairo-based league said in a statement on Friday.
A test for the world community
By NNN-WAM,
Sharjah : The world is on the brink of a disaster as millions of people are facing poverty because of global food scarcity and high food prices, a UAE daily paper warned Thursday.
''It may even affect political and economic stability of many countries. Unlike any natural calamity like tsunami, drought or flood that devastates the world every year, this looming crisis is man-made and needs immediate attention,'' wrote The Gulf Friday.
Afghanistan backs Pakistan’s move to make peace with non-threatening Taliban
By NNN-APP,
New York : Stating that he was confident of the new Pakistan government’s “good intentions”, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has supported Islamabad’s move to make peace with the Taliban who do not pose any threat.
“But,” he told New York Times, “if the deal is with those that are hard-core terrorists, Al Qaeda, and are bent upon sooner or later again causing damage to Pakistan, and to Afghanistan and to the rest of the world, then that’s wrong and we should definitely not do it.”
Pakistani Hindu worker’s murderers go unpunished
By Zofeen T. Ebrahim, IANS,
Karachi : Three weeks since Jagdeesh Kumar, a 22-year-old Hindu worker in a garment factory in Pakistan's largest city, was beaten to death by a mob for allegedly making blasphemous remarks about Prophet Mohammad, his murderers remain unpunished.
"Would our judicial system do so (punish the perpetrators)?" asks A.H. Nayyar, an Islamabad-based peace activist. He answers himself: "Not likely. It has never done so earlier either.
Israel ends 10-day closure of Palestinian territories
By SPA,
Tel Aviv : The Israeli military says it is lifting a blanket closure of the West Bank and Gaza it imposed for 10 days over the Jewish Passover holiday.
The Associated Press quoted a military statement as saying that the closure ended Monday morning. It mainly affected the West Bank.
Ahmadinejad: Iran, Pakistan to finalize peace pipeline project
By IRNA,
Tehran : President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday high ranking Iranian and Pakistani officials are to finalized Peace pipeline project soon.
In an exclusive interview with Pakistan's state TV channel, the Iranian president referred to fruitful talks with Pakistani officials and expressed the hope that the legal issue of gas deal between the two countries would be resolved very soon.
Olmert regrets Gaza civilian deaths, blames Hamas
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday expressed "deep regret" over Monday's civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip while accusing Hamas of exposing Palestinian civilians to danger.
"I would like to express my deep regret on behalf of the Israeli government and the State of Israel over the tragic incident in which a mother and her four children were killed in Beit Hanoun, " local daily Yedioth Ahronoth quoted Olmert as saying at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting.
Suicide bomber kills at least 16 in eastern Afghanistan
By RIA Novosti,
Kabul : A suicide bomber blew himself up on Tuesday in eastern Afghanistan, killing at least 16 people and injuring over 40, the local Tolo TV channel said.
The attack came after militants had fired shots and rocket-propelled grenades at a police station in the town of Khogyani. The suicide bomber then detonated his device in the middle of a crowd as civilians fled the fighting.
Hamas lifts ban on pro-Fatah newspaper
By Xinhua,
Gaza : A Hamas court on Thursday allowed a Palestinian newspaper to resume distribution in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip after nearly three months of banning.
Following the decision, the Ramallah-based al-Ayyam daily will appear in the newsstands in Gaza Strip after 78 days of absence.
On Feb. 12, Hamas' first instance court ruled that the newspaper, loyal to rival Fatah party, is not allowed to be distributed in Gaza for the newspaper published a cartoon that Hamas considered harming the parliament it leads.
Fuel shortages, rising food prices hampering UN aid efforts in Gaza, W.Bank
By APP,
United Nations : Fuel shortages and rising food prices are placing heavy burdens on the UN agency assisting Palestinian refugees and forcing it to cut back on life-saving activities in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, its spokesperson said.
Iraq to always remain sovereign – PM
By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki has said that Iraq will not be influenced by any party and will always be independent, asserting that stability of the region will not materialise without Iraq's stability.
In a meeting with tribal elders in Karbala Sunday, Al-Maliki said Iraq respects its responsibilities and commitments towards the international community, and seeking good relations with neighbouring countries.
He called on the neighbouring countries to establish good relations with Iraq because Baghdad would always be strong, free and sovereign.
Bangladesh invites MNC bids for oil and gas exploration
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh hopes to get nine foreign oil and gas multinational corporations, including some global names, to bid for offshore blocks for exploration.
Submission of offers for exploration in eight shallow water blocks and 20 deep-sea blocks in the Bay of Bengal is to begin shortly. The bidding is the first of its kind for Bangladesh where the focus is exclusively on the Bay of Bengal. The country hopes to catch up in the race where neighbours India and Myanmar have already gone ahead and found oil and gas.
Zia faces her first formal graft charge
By IANS,
Dhaka : Former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia Tuesday faced her first formal graft charge as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) accused her and 10 others of abuse of power in awarding a gas exploration and extraction deal to Canadian company Niko.
Her law minister Moudud Ahmed and former state minister for energy A.K.M. Mosharraf Hossain are among the others named in the charge sheet before the court.
Zia, 62, who ruled Bangladesh for 10 years, during 1991-96 and then in 2001-06, has been in jail since last September.
Sharif, Zardari lunch date in London to restore judges
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif, leaders of the main partners of Pakistan's ruling coalition, are scheduled to meet over lunch in London Thursday to discuss the fate of judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf when he imposed emergency Nov 3 last year, official sources said.
Sharif, head of his own faction of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Nawaz), is already in London where his wife underwent knee surgery. Zardari, chief of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), left for the British capital Wednesday night.